That’s it for tonight, here’s a recap of the main points from Peter Dutton’s budget reply
The Coalition will introduce a gas reservation policy for the east coast, which it says will lower wholesale electricity prices, and could come into effect by the end of this year.
Labor has immediately rubbished the gas reservation policy and called it a “distraction” from the Coalition’s nuclear plan.
Dutton’s also promised to fast-track more gas projects, and invest $1bn in a critical gas infrastructure fund to increase supply and storage.
Dutton has confirmed he’ll slash 41,000 workers from the public service, but says that it won’t impact frontline workers and essential services.
The opposition leader also promised there would be “significant” new spending on defence, which will be revealed during the election campaign.
Have a fabulous night and I will see you all here bright and early tomorrow morning!
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Cabinet minister Jason Clare has responds to the budget reply
He says if Peter Dutton wins the next election “you’ll pay more tax”.
He admitted that on live TV tonight … the stage is now set, if Labor wins the election your taxes will be lower, if Peter Dutton wins the election, your taxes will be higher.
Clare says Dutton still hasn’t said how the Coalition will pay for it’s policies including its nuclear plan (Labor says it will cost $600bn while the Coalition says their costings show it will cost $330bn).
On whether Labor will support an east coast gas reservation policy, Clare says Labor has already secured “six times” as much gas through its own policies compared to the reservation scheme.
This is just a distraction from his nuclear policy which is about as popular as a fart in an elevator.
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